Short Walk, omitting Friday Street : 16km (9.9 miles).
Difficulty: 6 out of 10 for the main walk, 4 out of 10 for the short walk.
Trains: Catch the 10.11 train from London Victoria (10:18 Clapham Junction, 10.23 Balham) to arrive at Dorking 11.07.
Out along the North Downs escarpment and back through the Greensand Hills.
This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.
Date | Option | Post | # | Weather |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wed, | Wednesday walk - Dorking circular | 14 | a glorious spring day | |
Wed, | The Pilgrim's Way and Surrey slopes: Dorking circular via Friday Street | 16 | fine autumn day with sunshine in the afternoon | |
Sun, | Sunday walk - Dorking circular | 14 | spring sunshine | |
Wed, | Wednesday Walk Dorking Circular - out along the North Downs escarpment to Wotton, then back through woodland, a fisheries and the Nower | 5 | sunshine and showers | |
Sat, | Saturday walk - Dorking Circular | 35 | misty then mostly cloudy | |
Wed, | Wednesday Walk Dorking Circular - Out along the North Downs Escarpment and back through the Greensand Hills | 16 | starting sunny clouding later | |
Sat, | Saturday walk - Dorking Circular - lots of woods, lots of options | 22 | cloudy | |
Sat, | Dorking Circular (now with an earlier train) | 10 | ||
Sat, | Saturday walk - Dorking Circular - Valley views and autumnal woods | 31 | sun and cloud | |
Sun, | A Sunday Saunter to Discover Dorking | 9 | humid and cloudy conditions | |
Sat, | c | Saturday Walk – The Greensand Hills from Gomshall to Dorking | 15 | sunny and warm |
Sat, | Saturday walk - Dorking Circular | 25 | sunny all day | |
Sun, | Sunday Walk – Dorking Circular | 10 | cloudy with some light rain and occasional glimpses of the sun | |
Sat, | Saturday Third Walk – the North Downs & Greensand Hills | 30 | overcast with sunny spells |
Short Walk, omitting Friday Street : 16km (9.9 miles).
Difficulty: 6 out of 10 for the main walk, 4 out of 10 for the short walk.
Trains: Catch the 10.11 train from London Victoria (10:18 Clapham Junction, 10.23 Balham) to arrive at Dorking 11.07.
I think nine emerged from the posted train, one more joined us at Dorking West, two later arrivals caught up by lunch, and late in the walk we met two more who had started earlier, so 14 all told on a glorious-spring-day. The majority ate or drank something in the Wotton Hatch where two of our number got the bus as one was feeling under the weather. Three did the afternooon short cut and the rest of us the full walk. The paths were very dry in the morning so we were disappointed to find quite a lot of mud between Logmore Lane and the fishery; if we had been craftier (or read the directions) I think we could have avoided it, but some of us attempted a detour into a field and had to retreat back into the gloop when we couldn't find a way out.
At the Nower we met the two early starters and proceeded down into Dorking, with some stopping for tea and some rushing for the train while I waited for a bus home. There were a few butterflies, early spring flowers and an unexpectedly beautiful day out after recent weather.
a glorious spring day
Length: 11.5 miles (18.5 km) 6/10
This walk has worked really well at this time of year with good paths, autumn colour and mushrooms. Friday Street with its pond makes a satisfying place to aim for even in the absence of the Stephan Langton pub.
Travel: 1011 from Victoria (Clapham Junction 1018, Epsom 1052), arriving Dorking Main station at 1107. You could get the 1024 from Waterloo (arr 1116) and catch us up. The 1000 from London Bridge to Redhill, changing on to the 1043 to Dorking Deepdene arriving 1055, would give you time to intercept the group on the road from Dorking Main station. Returns at 30 past the hour to Waterloo, 17/43 to Victoria and 58 from Dorking Deepdene to London Bridge via Redhill.
Lunch: The Wotton Hatch (01306-887694) on the A25 at Wotton after 7½ km, serves food all day and has a large beer garden with views of the North Downs, although it inevitably has some traffic noise from the main road. As far as I know the Stephan Langton in Friday Street is still for sale.
Tea: quite a few options in Dorking, see the main walk page.
Shortening the walk: the short walk on the walk page avoids takes a lower route from Wotton to Westcott, avoiding the ascent through woods to Friday Street, to make a walk of 10 miles/16 km (4/10). Those with local knowledge may also be able to show you how to avoid the steep ascent of the Nower on the way into Dorking towards the end of the walk.
For walk directions, map and GPX click here
T=swc.274
16 on a fine autumn day with sunshine in the afternoon - 11 were on the posted train; three earlier arrivals plus dog, including one with an afternoon appointment who set off alone; and two more on the delayed London Bridge/Redhill train who met us on the Pilgrim's Way. Most stayed together in the morning and picknicked at St John's Church. When we arrived at the Wotton Hatch the group split with some staying for a drink and then doing the short walk; of the others, six shot off ahead on the full walk and were not seen again. I hear that one of the pub visitors also did the full walk. I don't know if anyone stopped for tea in Dorking. There was beautiful evening-type low sunlight in the afternoon and a few mushrooms to identify.
T=swc.274
Length: Main Walk, via Wotton & Friday Street 8½ km(11.5miles). Short Walk, omitting Friday Street: 16 km† (9.9 miles). Long Walk, via Abinger Common: 22¾ km† (14.1 miles).
The walk starts with a long stretch along the lower chalk slopes of the National Trust's Denbies Hillside, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) rich with wildflowers in spring and summer. The Main Walk then heads south into the wooded Greensand Hills, going through the extensive Wotton Estate to the picturesque hamlet of Friday Street. The return leg crosses a number of ridges on open access land. After passing the large ponds of Bury Hill Fisheries a final climb takes you along the top of The Nower, a semi-natural woodland reserve with splendid views. There are plenty of opportunities for refreshment in Dorking before the journey back.
Trains: Take the 10.02 Dorking train from London Waterloo (Clapham Junction 10:12), arriving Dorking 10.54.
Return trains from Dorking Main to Waterloo are at xx.07 to London Bridge at xx.12 and xx.42
Lunch: The suggested lunch pub on the Main & Short Walks is The Wotton Hatch (01306-887694) on the A25 at Wotton, after 7½ km‡. It serves food all day and has a large beer garden with views of the North Downs.
The suggested lunch pub on the Long Walk is The Abinger Hatch (01306-730737) in Abinger Common, after 12¼ km. It serves freshly-cooked food all day and has a large beer garden and picnic tables.
Tea: Various options in Dorking, some suggestions in the walk instructions.
For directions, map and GPS click here
9 off one train, 3 car drivers, 1 from nearby station = 14 plus dog. All walked main route in spring sunshine , saw chiffchat and brimstone butterflies. Around 5 lunched at Wooton Hatch which was busy, while rest enjoyed picnic in field. Some plus dog went ahead, while picnickers joined others in beer garden. Lunchers were left enjoying their magnificent looking meals. After a rest at the viewpoint at The Nower, in Dorking 2 searched for tea and cakes, while 3 visited a pub that had been good previously but football was starting and some had been there too long already.
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Three of us set out from Waterloo and got as far as Clapham Junction where the train was taken out of service. The problem was faulty doors, no surprise really as these trains were due to be replaced by new ones (with toilets) some years ago.
In a few minutes a Portsmouth train passed the same platform and we all jumped aboard, having made an executive decision to do the Milford to Godalming walk instead. The friendly conductor issued us with new tickets and deducted the price we had already paid. More chaos ensued when his machine began issuing 5 or 6 blank tickets for every printed one.
We dodged the showers and decided to make an early lunch stop at the Merry Harriers, often passed but never previously visited (by me anyway). Good decision. The sun came out and we were able to sit in their large rear garden. The food was excellent and the service friendly and speedy.
After lunch we took a shortcut to the arboretum via Hydon's Ball and Juniper valley. Although a bus was imminent, we sensed an improvement in the weather and continued the full walk through newly lush and sunny farmland, catching the 4.51 train.
Just 2 reached Dorking from Victoria and did the advertised walk.
So 5 in sunshine and showers
"The walk starts with a long stretch along the lower chalk slopes of the National Trust's Denbies Hillside, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The Main Walk then heads south into the wooded Greensand Hills, going through the extensive Wotton Estate to the picturesque hamlet of Friday Street with its large Hammer Pond.
The return leg crosses a number of ridges on open access land managed by the Surrey Wildlife Trust and the Forestry Commission. After passing the large ponds of Bury Hill Fisheries a final climb takes you along the top of The Nower, a semi-natural woodland reserve with splendid views. There are plenty of opportunities for refreshment in Dorking before the journey back."
You will probably encounter mud. The choice of which version to do comes after the early lunch. Note that the last mile of the walk is pretty straightforward in dying light.
Trains: Get the 0925 Horsham Train from London Victoria (Clapham Jct 0932) arriving 1021. Return trains xx07 & xx36.
Lunch: The Wotton Hatch (01306-887694) on the A25 at Wotton, after 4.7 miles, 7½ km. It serves food all day and has a large beer garden with views of the North Downs.
Tea: Various options in Dorking
I have booked a table for 8 at the Wooton Hatch at 12:45. We plan to join near Dorking West. I will phone pub and adjust numbers if there are many more / less of us. John
29 at the station on a delayed train, with a few who missed the group, and 3 drivers at Dorking West, so let's say 35 on a misty then mostly cloudy day. Some did the main walk and picnicked. Most stopped near the lunch pub, and ate inside or drank outside. Some who then did the short walk met the picnicers just before Dorking at the temple viewpoint as the light started to fade. A few spots of deep or slippery mud, but mostly fine. Thanks to the poster and author.
15 at the station with a 16 th joining at lunch time. A pleasant day for walking starting sunny clouding later Most did the short option but a few struck out for Friday Street. Of course, I was soon left behind but I soldiered on, with a cheerful countenance and a kind word for everyone I met. Never mind, though. As we neared the lunch pub, the rest caught me up again. (I don’t know either, readers - space, time, and maybe a few cows).
Those what ate at the Wotton Hatch liked what they got.
Then we were off again. I was looking forward to racing up the Nower but as I was keeping the walk's author company and he wanted to check out a lower path, I forwent the experience. Various tea-shops were visited on return. I may have had a piece of cake. A sizable proportion caught the 17:07
3 of us stopped for tea at Cake Rider (cafe) in South Street. Highly recommended - delicious cakes and proper leaf tea in china pots.
You are partly right Mr Tiger. The ones you mysteriously overtook had absent-mindedly wandered into a field of cows, but no doubt we lost time because in trying to get back to the route we ended up scrambling up a very steep, crumbly bank in the woods. Tree branches and roots were clung to, among other things.
In the afternoon three of us had a most enjoyable stroll to Friday Street. There was quite a lot of interesting produce on offer at the cottages there, including quails' eggs, but none of us had the right change to purchase any. (The jam seller invited payment by paypal but I didn't know how to do that on my phone.) We wondered about the lower path round the Nower but decided to stick to what we knew.
Anyway, a fine walk, thanks for posting.
Sandy
22 (ish). I did not count exactly. There were 15 (ish) on the Waterloo train and I was later informed 7 on the Victoria train. At least 5 did the long walk and a few may have done the short walk for all I know. But most probably did the main walk - split into smaller groups as per regulations, natch.
It is not news that this is a lovely autumn walk with some good woods, some fieldy bits, and fine views in the early stages and at the end. The autumn colours are mostly on the exposed faces: some beeches and Norway maples were a lovely gold. But deep in the woods it is still largely green. On one grassy slope there were dinner plate-sized parasol mushrooms.
The weather was cloudy , but there was some sun around the middle of the day, which was well-timed for those of us who picnicked near the lake at Friday Street. There was not much mud. All in all a cheerful break in these dismal times
10 , I'm told
Belated report - Paul and I decided to run the Dorking circular, rather than walk. We coincided with a sizeable group at Dorking Station (waiting for the one toilet that was open), then ran on. We spotted a solo walker following the route, & met the large group again later on, eventually at the pub near the station. They said they were Ramblers following the SWC route. Not much social distancing going on.
31 on this walk, comprising 24 on the direct train from Victoria, 4 to Dorking Deepdene via Redhill, and three late starters. Among the latter were a couple who I told did the long walk and one of our group did too, but the rest of us, as far as I am aware, did the main walk. I did not hear of any doing the short walk, but if such there were, do file a separate report.
It was a pleasant day of sun and cloud and the ground, while damp, was not at all muddy. The trees are still overwhelmingly green, of course, but there were pleasing bits and pieces of leaf colour. In the woods after Friday Street we also found lots of different species of fungi, with our resident expert pointing out the tiny details that meant the different between sudden death and a delicious meal. My favourite was the stinkhorn, which resembles....but this is a family show, so you will have to Google it.
There was a debate about whether to stop at the Wotton Hatch pub - or rather there was not: I suggested it and everyone ignored me and sailed on past. So we went on to the Stephan Langton which was not at all busy, even rather empty until some other small walking/cycling groups turned up. We all happily ate outside in the sun, while the sandwichistas camped by the pond.
Someone had added lots of steep hills to the woody bit after lunch. The climb up The Nower felt like going up the Matterhorn. Quite a lot of us congregated on the top to enjoy the slivers of view allowed by the trees.
On the way into Dorking we discovered some men picking large bags of hops from ones growing wild by the road. Subliminally inspired by this, no doubt, on arrival in the town centre some went to the pub. I forgot to check in on them later so I don’t know how long they stayed. Myself and nine others ended up in a nice cafe whose name I forgot to check: it had nice cakes and proper china tea pots.
At the station we found the platform crowded, some of our walkers among them, because the 5.07pm train had been cancelled. But the 5.37pm ran on time and deposited us at hideously busy Victoria at 6.30pm. “Too early”, commented one walker, and I agreed, but soon we were parted by the crowd.....
A couple of us had a discussion about the Tillingbourne Waterfall and how to get there.
It's marked on the OS map on the Wotton Estate on the north slopes of Leith Hill, near Friday Street. The Waterfall itself is on private land but can be seen from a footpath.
This could perhaps be added as an optional detour to the walk directions
I found these directions online https://tillingbourne.surreymuseums.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/03/Tillingbourne-Trail-Wotton-1.pdf
I believe the falls are man made, probably as a water garden in John Evelyn’s day (late 1600’s)
The Tillingbourne Waterfall is indeed man-made; the walk route actually takes you over the water channel that feeds it, on the climb out of Broadmoor. The (rather uninspiring) estate track it's on is about 300-400m off-route from this hamlet and I couldn't find a sensible way of incorporating it into any of the many options on this walk. Also, I didn't think many people would bother to make an out'n'back detour; "worth seeing, but not worth going to see", as Boswell might have said.
Click here for photos of the waterfall and the estate track.
Hi Marc, the Kelvedon Circular walk has just had an outing on 7 April, so it will probably be a while before it gets posted again. Regards
Seven gathered for formalities on the platform...leaving the question of long or short open....and were joined by two others in the station lobby...making for a total of 9 in humid and cloudy conditions . The group stayed together until the decision point where we split nearly in half, with 4 doing the standard 11 mile route and the other 5 the longer 14 mile route. On the longer route, the terrain was varied and undulating...one enjoyed lunch in the garden of the Abinger Hatch (in a fine mist, under an umbrella) -- lovely food...the other 4 eventually joined for a drink and we set off again together for a roller coaster of an afternoon -- upping and downing all the way to Dorking....where 3 enjoyed some bevies in the Kings Arms on West Street -- a very charming and historic part of Dorking -- before catching the 18:07.
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!
Weather was ‘a perfect 10’ as one walker succinctly put it with clear skies, strong sunshine, a light breeze and plenty of shade. For the stats sunny and warm
This walk is rather wonderful ( good choice Sean ) and even the numerous steep slopes ( two of them after a rather large and heavy lunch ) were enjoyable, though they were also excruciating for some of us. Curiously steep hills are getting harder you know though as I do them every week they should really get easier.
Some lunched at the Abinger Hatch whilst 8 of us ate at the Stephan Langton where the food was good but the wait was the 'interminable' 55 minutes which was somewhat disappointing.
and then those hills and just in time for tea and very nice homemade cakes for 8 of us at Two Many Cooks.
And onto the station for the train home where some others joined us so most of us stayed together most of the day - as it appens - though I understand that a couple took a bus towards the end and were delighted by the fact that it was free for freedom pass people
15 on the walk
Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
Bridie
25 -30?, so many I lost the count. Lots came off the train from Victoria which was delayed, we met several at Dorking station who came from Waterloo train arrived earlier, then two more joined enRoute, sunny all day . A lovely day out with nice scenary and autumn colour in sunshine. Several opted for earlier pub lunch at Wotten Hatch. I am told food came very fast and was good. Eleven (one arrived earlier and had already finished when the later party arrived) ate at Stephan Langton, a bit of wait for the food but it was worth the wait, all enjoyed their dishes. We booked a table for 8, but had 10, the pub quickly added a extra table for us, when we left at 2:15pm the place was full, so recommend booking if a large party for the future. We saw ~10-12 walkers (mainly sandwichers who were ahead of us) in a tea room in Dorking but it was full, so eight of us went to another one (can't remember the name) down the road. Tea and cakes lived up to our high expectations. All left just after 5pm, we caught 5:34pm train back to London. A nice day out in good company, and no traffic noise either...
Two at Clapham Junction got the 10.03 train to Dorking as the 9.37 was cancelled. Did the Victoria train not stop at CJ? Didn't see anyone else at Dorking. Decided to do Dorking to Reigate walk instead. This was a lovely walk with countless crossings of the river Mole and lots of autumn colour mainly on the ground. We were enthusiastically shepherded into the church in Betchworth where there was a display of alternative Christmas trees made by local groups - all really inventive. A really enjoyable day
Probably 10
7 off the train, one of whom vanished inside the station. Plenty of chalkland flowers as we came through Denbies Hillside. The Wotton Hatch was packed – whatever happened to the down to earth boozer I first visited many years ago? Gone the way of the Ploughman's Lunch, that's what.On to the Stephan Langton, where I arrived too late to witness any food consumption, but I did come across the other four walkers, finishing off their coffee and looking very replete. These, the Langton Four, had remarkably clean boots for people who claimed to have been walking. And so back to Dorking. The four soon vanished – back to their cars no doubt! Leaving me to deal with the menacing black labrador at Squires Farm all by myself. This free-range beast‘s forte is snarling , teeth baring, lunging and backing off. And again. No actual biting so maybe my “nice doggy” strategy does work. I didn’t try patting it to find out. When I got nearer Dorking I realised that the bits in italics were easy options allowing me to avoid the final hilly bits. (Did them last year, no need to do them again). cloudy with some light rain and occasional glimpses of the sun
Maybe it's too late to add anything to Ian's excellent report, but one of the "Langton 4" joined three of the initial group for the full afternoon walk, including an encounter with the snarly dog. We only found Costa open for tea in Dorking, but all in all a most enjoyable day in varied countryside.
24 (or 25 by some people's count) walkers on the platform, 2 more at the gate, 3 more at Deepdene station and 1 more that had taken a bus to The Wotton Hatch lunch pub on the short and medium options to start from there, so I make that (at least) 30 walkers, the fastest ones of which finished the walk w/o encountering a single drop of the wet stuff from above, so overcast with sunny spells , I'd say. [The drizzle, then rain, started the moment we had reached Dorking station.]
Relative chaos ensued from the off, as the long walkers sped off, one disciple of The Church Of The Followers Of A Line On A Screen started the walk the wrong way round, all the way to the lunch pub in Wotton, to then re-trace the walk from there with some other medium walkers; one other walker apparently went straight up the first hill "to explore a different route", never to be seen again (not the woman from SW London you're all thinking of); and the majority of the short and medium walkers were never seen again (by us).
8 of the long walkers reconvened at the Abinger Hatch (traditional pub classics menu, very convincingly executed, delivered at fair speed and for decent prices, and the pub was not very busy at all, so: recommended).
Later we overtook (and assembled into our group) said out-the-wrong-way walker, the bus taker and one other. The 15.58 train was narrowly missed...
As for the walk: very nice, plenty of gentle and not so gentle ascents, shaded woods, far views and pretty villages; minimal overlap with other offerings of this great walking club, so a worthy addition to the list, methinks.
Might be a major challenge in muddy conditions, despite various avoidance routes being described in the text...
Oh, and - of course - there was the - by now customary - cameo appearance of the walk author, this time at the Wotton pub.
Two of us lingered over tea in the Stephan Langton, forgetting that the rain was coming. A few drops towards the end of our sojourn reminded us. We got VERY WET on the walk back into Dorking. Still, I expect the drought-stressed plants all around us were very grateful.